AU2020201385A1

AU2020201385A1 - Utility bag with workstation

Info

Publication number: AU2020201385A1
Application number: AU2020201385A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Josephine Benkers; Clark Mccune
Original assignee: Plano Molding Co LLC
Current assignee: Plano Molding Co LLC
Priority date: 2019-02-28
Filing date: 2020-02-26
Publication date: 2020-09-17
Also published as: US20200275752A1; CA3074237A1

Abstract

A utility bag system having a body that includes a first shell. The utility bag system can include a utility extension having a second shell. The utility bag system can include a fastener arranged to removably attach the utility extension to the body. The body can include at least one of a body portion, a lid portion, and a storage unit. The utility extension can include a pair of opposite planar surfaces. At least one of the body and the utility extension can have a magnetozone arranged to form a workstation. The workstation can be arranged to secure a metallic or magnetized article to the first or second shell. The first and second shell can be made of the same or a different material.

Description

UTILITY BAG WITH WORKSTATION CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit thereof from United States

Provisional Patent Application No. 62/811,897, filed February 28, 2019, titled "Utility Bag With

Workstation," the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The disclosure relates generally to a utility bag, and, more particularly to a utility

bag having a drop zone assembly that serves as a utility workstation. The disclosure also relates

to a utility bag having a solar power source and electrical charging station.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] During fishing, or other outdoor activities, it is often necessary to use items for

rigging, switching bait or holding tools. The items can be placed on a surface to dry (e.g.,

terminal tackle) or while the items (e.g., baits) are not in use. The top of a tackle bag is often

used as a place to store these items because of the close proximity to the user for quick access

and its flat surface. Current tackle bags will often use a foam patch to place hooks for this reason.

The foam allows the user to capture the tackle and prevent it from falling away from the bag.

However, this foam breaks down over time because of use and outdoor elements and needs

replacement.

[0004] The inventors have discovered an unfulfilled need exists for a utility workstation

that is easy to use and can hold items to dry, or when items are not in use, and that can survive

outdoor elements such as sun, heat, cold, rain, or wind.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] According to the principles of the disclosure, a utility bag, a utility extension and

utility bag system are disclosed, any one or more of which can include a utility workstation. The

utility workstation includes one or more magnetozones that are positioned to hold articles within

easy access of a user and that can hold wet articles to dry. The magnetozones can be located

anywhere on the utility extension or at any one or more of the side walls, the top, or the bottom

of the utility bag, or within an inner layer or shell of the utility bag. The magnetozone can

prevent articles from falling off after the utility bag is jarred or opened. The articles can include,

for example, tools, tackle, hooks, sinkers, floats, lures, spears, or any metallic or magnetized

object.

[00061 In a nonlimiting embodiment, the utility bag system comprises a body having at

least one of a body portion, a lid portion, and a storage unit; a utility extension having a pair of

opposite planar surfaces; and a fastener arranged to removably attach one of the planar surfaces

to the body, wherein the body has a first shell, wherein the utility extension has a second shell,

wherein at least one of the body and the utility extension comprises a magnetozone arranged to

secure a metallic or magnetized article. The utility bag system can comprise a solar panel. The

utility bag system can comprise a charging station, wherein the charging station can be charged

by the solar panel. The body can comprise an inner shell having a magnetozone. The storage

unit can comprise a magnetozone.

[00071 In another nonlimiting embodiment, the utility bag system can comprise a body

having a first shell, the body including a body portion; and a utility extension having a second

shell, wherein the utility extension is arranged to removably attach to the body, and wherein the

utility extension comprises a magnetozone that is arranged to secure a metallic or magnetized article to the second shell. The body can include a lid portion having a magnetozone on a surface of the first shell. The magnetozone can be located on an inner shell in the utility bag.

The utility extension can comprise a fastener arranged to attach to the body. The utility bag can

comprise a storage unit having a magnetozone. The storage unit can be arranged as a

workstation when in an open position. The utility extension can comprise another magnetozone

that can be arranged to secure the utility extension to a metallic or magnetized structure while

simultaneously securing the metallic or magnetized article to the second shell. The other

magnetozone can be located on a surface of the second shell that is opposite said magnetozone.

The magnetozone can be located on a surface of the second shell. The magnetozone can be

formed by a magnet attached to the second shell. The magnetozone can be formed by a magnet

located between an outer layer and an inner layer. The magnet can be attached to an outer layer

in the second shell.

[00081 In another nonlimiting embodiment, the utility bag system comprises a body

portion having a plurality of walls; a lid portion attached to the body portion; and a workstation

having a magnetozone, wherein the workstation is formed on a surface of the lid portion, and

wherein the lid portion or at least one of the plurality of walls is flexible. The utility bag system

can comprise a utility extension having a pair of opposite planar surfaces. The body portion can

be formed as a soft-body with the plurality of walls made of a flexible material. The body

portion can have a rigid bottom and the body portion can be collapsible.

[0009] Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the disclosure may be set

forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims.

Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the disclosure and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the disclosure as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further

understanding of the disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification,

illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the detailed description serve to

explain the principles of the disclosure. No attempt is made to show structural details of the

disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the

disclosure and the various ways in which it may be practiced.

[0011] FIG. 1 depicts an example of a utility bag that is constructed according to the

principles of the disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2 depicts another view of the utility bag in FIG. 1, with a lid portion in an

open position.

[0013] FIGS. 3A to 3C depict nonlimiting examples of a cross-section area of a shell of

the utility bag shown in FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a view of another example of a utility bag, including a storage unit

in an open position.

[0015] FIG. 5 depicts an example of a utility bag system that is constructed according to

the principles of the disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 6 depicts another view of the utility bag system in FIG. 5.

[00171 The present disclosure is further described in the detailed description and

drawings that follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[00181 The embodiments of the disclosure and the various features and advantageous

details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and

examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the

following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not

necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other

embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein.

Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not

unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the disclosure. The examples used herein are

intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the disclosure may be practiced

and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the disclosure.

Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting the

scope of the disclosure, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law.

Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several

views of the drawings.

[0019] FIGS. 1 and 2 depict first and second views of an example of a utility bag 1

constructed according to the principles of the disclosure. In FIG. 2, the utility bag 1 is seen with

a lid portion 20 in an open position. The utility bag 1 can include, for example, a tackle bag, a

range bag, a tool bag, a soft-good bag, or a storage container. The utility bag 1 includes a body

5. The body 5 can include an outer shell comprising a material, such as, for example, cloth,

fabric, cotton, canvas, burlap, jute, hemp, nylon, polyester, PE board, plastic, carbon fiber,

carbon fiber reinforced polymer, fiberglass or metal. The body 5 can include an inner layer, such

as, for example, a liner.

[00201 The body 5 includes a body portion 10 and the lid portion 20. The body portion

and/or lid portion 20 can be made of flexible material. The body portion 10 can include a

rigid or hard bottom and walls made of a flexible material. The body 5 can be made to be

collapsible. The lid portion 20 can function as a workstation when provided with one or more

magnetozones that can secure metallic or magnetized articles to the lid portion 20. The body

portion 10 can include a floor (not shown) and a plurality of walls (for example, four walls).

One or more of the plurality of walls can be arranged to be collapsible. The body 5 can be

formed as one piece or multiple pieces. For instance, the body 5 can be made as a single piece

with the lid portion 20 integrally formed with the body portion 10 as one piece. Alternatively,

the lid portion 20 and body portion 10 can be made as two or more pieces that are arranged to be

attachable to form the body 5. The lid portion 20 can be connected to the body portion 10 along

an edge, in which case the lid portion 20 can be arranged to pivot about the longitudinal axis (P

Axis) of the edge. The body portion 10 and lid portion 20 can include a living hinge between

them. The living hinge can have a longitudinal axis that is parallel with the P-Axis.

[0021] The utility bag 1 can include one or more storage units 30. The storage unit 30

can be made with the body 5 as one piece. Alternatively, the storage unit 30 and body 5 can be

made as two or more pieces that are arranged to be attachable to form the utility bag 1. The

storage unit 30 can include a closure mechanism 35, such as, for example, a zipper, a hook-and

loop fastener, a button, a pin, a snap, a hook-and-eye, or any device arranged to attach two or

more structures to form an enclosure that can hold an article.

[0022] The utility bag 1 can comprise one or more magnetozones. The magnetozone can

be formed by one or more magnets 40 included in, attached to or formed integrally with the body

5. The magnet 40 can be included in, attached to or formed integrally with the floor (not shown) one or more walls, or the top of the body 5. The magnet 40 can be attached to, included in or formed integrally as part of the outer shell or an inner layer of the body 5. The magnet 40 can be included between two or more layers in the body 5, such as, for example, in the outer shell or an inner layer of the body 5.

[00231 The magnet 40 can include, for example, a permanent magnet, a ferromagnet, a

ferromagnetic fluid, an electromagnet, or any device or material capable of forming the

magnetozone by creating a magnetic field. The magnet 40 can include, for example, a magnetic

north (N) pole and magnetic south (S) pole, or a plurality of alternating magnetic poles (for

example, N, S, N, S, ... ). The magnet 40 can have any shape, including, for example, circle,

disc, cylinder, square, block, plate, or rod. The magnet 40 can include a ferromagnetic material,

such as, for example, iron, or a ferromagnetic fluid or compound that can be infused in or mixed

with the material to make the outer shell of the body 5.

[0024] The magnetozone(s) can be positioned anywhere on the body 5 or utility

extension 6, discussed below, to form a workstation to hold articles within easy access of a user,

or to hold wet articles to dry. The magnetozone(s) and, therefore, the workstation can be located

anywhere on the utility extension 6 or at any one or more areas of the body 5, such as for

example, a side wall, a top, a bottom or inside the utility bag. The workstation can prevent

articles from falling off after the utility bag is jarred or opened. A magnetozone in the bottom of

the utility bag can serve to secure the utility bag to a metallic surface, such as, for example, a

vehicle. The articles can include, for example, tools, tackle, hooks, sinkers, floats, lures, spears,

or any metallic or magnetized object.

[0025] FIGS. 3A to 3C depict three nonlimiting examples of a cross-sectional area in the

outer shell of the body 5. As seen in the Figures, the outer shell can include one or more layers of material, including, for example, an outer layer OL that can form the outer surface of the shell.

The shell can include an inner layer IL. The inner layer IL can form the inner surface in the

body 5.

[00261 In the nonlimiting example depicted in FIG. 3A, the shell of the body 5 includes

two layers that form the outer shell, including the outer layer (OL) and inner layer (IL). The

shell can include one or more additional layers. The magnet 40 can be included between the

outer OL and inner IL layers to form the magnetozone. The outer and inner layers can be fused

together with the magnet 40 between the layers. Alternatively, the outer OL and inner IL layers

can be attached to each other by an attachment mechanism, such as, for example, an adhesive,

stitching, hook-and-loop fastener, zipper, or snaps. The magnet 40 can be included in the body 5

to form a magnetozone in one or more subareas or the entire area of the outer or inner shell of the

body 5. The magnet 40 can be included as a single magnet 40 or a plurality of magnets 40, such

as, for example, an array of magnets 40. For example, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, four magnets 40

can be provided in the outer shell of the lid portion 20 to form four respective magnetozones on

the outer shell of the lid portion 20. The magnet 40 can be located in any part of the shell of the

body 5, including for example, the lid portion 20, body portion 10 or storage unit 30.

[00271 FIG. 3B depicts a nonlimiting example in which the cross-sectional area of the

outer shell of the body 5 includes a magneto layer ML. Although the shell is shown as including

only the magneto layer ML in this example, the shell can include one or more additional layers.

The magneto layer ML can be arranged to form a magnetozone in one or more subareas of the

outer shell of the body 5, such as, for example, substantially the entire area of the top surface of

the lid portion 20, as seen, for example, in FIG. 2. The magneto layer ML can include a

material that can be infused or mixed with, for example, a ferromagnetic fluid or compound to create a magnetized layer. The magneto layer ML can be attached to, blended with or integrally formed with one or more layers of a non-ferromagnetic material to form the outer shell of the body 5. The one or more layers of non-ferromagnetic material can be stacked with the magneto layer ML (for example, shown in FIG. 3), blended, attached or integrally formed with the magneto layer ML as a single layer having regions made of the magneto layer ML. The magneto layer ML can include a high-coercivity ferromagnetic compound, such as, for example, ferric oxide, mixed with a synthetic binder, such as, for example, a plastic binder, to form a durable layer. In a nonlimiting embodiment, the magneto layer ML can form the sheet of the lid portion

20.

[00281 FIG. 3C depicts a nonlimiting example in which the cross-sectional area of the

shell of the body 5 includes the magnet 40 and an outer layer OL or inner layer IL. The magnet

can be attached to the outer OL or inner IL layer, for example, using an adhesive.

[0029] FIG. 4 depicts a view of an example of the utility bag 1 with a storage unit 30 in

an open position, wherein the storage unit 30 includes two magnetozones formed by respective

magnets 40 included in the shell. As seen, the storage unit 30 can include one or more magnets

in its outer shell, which can be opened to provide access to a compartment 38 formed by the

storage unit 30 when it is in a closed position (for example, shown in FIG. 2). When in the open

position (shown in FIG. 4), the storage unit 30 can function as a workstation.

[00301 FIG. 5 depicts a nonlimiting example of a utility bag system 2 that is constructed

according to the principles of the disclosure. The utility bag system 2 includes a utility bag 3 and

a utility extension 6. The utility extension 6 can be arranged to fold or flex. The utility

extension 6 can be made of a different material or the same material as the body 5 of the utility

bag 1 (for example, shown in FIGS. 1, 2 or 4). The utility extension 6 can include one or more magnetozones, including one or more magnets 40. The utility bag 3 can include, for example, the utility bag 1 (for example, shown in FIGS. 1, 2 or 4) or any other utility bag, storage, container or structure. The utility extension 6 can be arranged to be removable from the utility bag 3, in which case the utility bag 3 can include one or more fasteners 55 that are arranged to attach to the utility extension 6. The utility extension 6 can include one or more fasteners 56 that are arranged to attach to the utility bag 3. The fasteners 55 and 56 can be arranged to engage each other to attach the utility extension 6 with the utility bag 3. The fasteners 55 or 56 can include, for example, a hook-and-loop (for example, VELCRO), a snap, an adhesive, stitching, magnet or any other attachment mechanism that can secure the utility extension 6 to the utility bag 3.

[00311 The utility extension 6 can be arranged to keep articles, such as, for example,

tackle, tools, or bait within easy access of the user. The utility extension 6 can be arranged to

allow wet articles to dry while the utility extension 6 is attached to the utility bag 3 or a metallic

or magnetized structure, or used by itself. The magnetozone can prevent articles from falling off

such as, for example, when the utility bag system 1 is jarred or the utility bag 3 opened.

[0032] FIG. 6 depicts a view of the utility extension 6 removed from the utility bag 3 in

the utility bag system 2. The utility extension 6 can be arranged to secure metallic or magnetized

articles to one or more magnetozones on the utility extension 6, allowing for mobility or

transport of the utility extension 6 with articles secured, separate from the utility bag 3. The

magnetozone(s) can be located on opposite ends or surfaces of the utility extension 6, thereby

allowing for one end or surface of the utility extension 6 to be removably affixed to a metallic or

magnetized structure, such as, for example, a tool box, a vehicle body, or any metallic or magnetized object, while another end (for example, opposite end) securely holds the articles in place.

[00331 The utility extension 6 can include an outer shell that has a cross-section area as

seen in, for example, FIGS. 3A to 3C and discussed above.

[0034] In a non-limiting example of the utility bag 1 (for example, shown in FIGS. 1, 2

or 4) or utility bag system 2 (for example, shown in FIGS. 5 or 6), the utility bag 1 (or 3) or the

utility extension 6 can include a solar panel (not shown) and/or a power source (not shown), such

as, for example a battery. The battery (not shown) can include a rechargeable battery. The

power source can be charged by the solar panel. The solar panel can comprise rigid thin-film

cells and modules or flexible thin-film cells and modules that can flex with the surface material

of the outer shell of the utility bag 1 (or 3) or utility extension 6. The solar panel can be

positioned on or integrated with the outer shell. The solar panel can be positioned, for example,

on a top surface of the lid portion 20 (shown in FIGS. 1 or 2) or on an inner shell of, for

example, the storage unit 30, such that when the storage unit 30 is opened as seen in FIG. 4, the

solar panel can be exposed to sunlight. The solar panel can be arranged on a portion of the utility

bag 1 (or 3) or utility extension 6 for maximum exposure to sunlight during use.

[00351 The utility bag (for example, shown in FIGS. 1, 2 or 4-6) or the utility extension 6

(for example, shown in FIGS. 5 or 6) can include a charging station (not shown) for charging

devices such as, for example, smartphones, fish-finder devices, digital cameras, smartwatches, or

the like. The charging station (not shown) can include a wireless charging device (not shown),

such as, for example, a charging pad (not shown), or one or more charging ports (not shown) for

connecting charging cables to devices such as smartphones. The charging station can be affixed

to the lid portion 20 of the utility bag 1 (shown in FIGS. 1, 2 or 4) or the utility extension 6

(shown in FIGS. 5 or 6), or any other portion of the utility bag that might be accessible for

charging devices (not shown). The charging station can be positioned underneath the surface

material, or integrated with the outer shell material, or affixed on top of the outer shell material.

[00361 The terms "a," ".an," and "the," as used in this disclosure, means "one or more,"

unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00371 The terms "including," "comprising," and variations thereof, as used in this

disclosure, mean "including, but not limited to," unless expressly specified otherwise.

[00381 Although process steps, method steps, or the like, may be described in a

sequential order, such processes and methods can be configured to work in alternate orders. In

other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described does not necessarily indicate a

requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of the processes or methods

described herein can be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps can be performed

simultaneously.

[00391 When a single structure or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent

that more than one device or article may be used in place of a single device or article. Similarly,

where more than one device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a single

structure or article may be used in place of the more than one structure or article. The

functionality or the features of a structure or article may be alternatively embodied by one or

more other structures or articles that are not explicitly described as having such functionality or

feature.

[0040] While the disclosure has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments,

those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure can be practiced with modifications in

the spirit and scope of the instant disclosure. These examples given above are merely illustrative and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible designs, embodiments, applications or modifications of the disclosure. Further, any reference to prior art information in this specification does not acknowledge or suggest that the referenced prior art forms any part of the common general knowledge.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A utility bag system, comprising:

a body having at least one of a body portion, a lid portion, and a storage unit;

a utility extension having a pair of opposite planar surfaces; and

a fastener arranged to removably attach one of the planar surfaces to the body,

wherein the body has a first shell,

wherein the utility extension has a second shell,

wherein at least one of the body and the utility extension comprises a magnetozone

arranged to secure a metallic or magnetized article.

2. The utility bag system in claim 1, further comprising a solar panel.

3. The utility bag system in claim 2, further comprising a charging station, wherein the

charging station is charged by the solar panel.

4. The utility bag system in claim 1, wherein the body comprises an inner shell having a

magnetozone.

5. The utility bag system in claim 1, wherein the storage unit comprises a magnetozone.

6. A utility bag system, comprising:

a body having a first shell, the body including a body portion; and

a utility extension having a second shell, wherein the utility extension is arranged to removably attach to the body, and wherein the utility extension comprises a magnetozone that is arranged to secure a metallic or magnetized article to the second shell.

7. The utility bag system in claim 6, wherein the body includes a lid portion having a

magnetozone on a surface of the first shell.

8. The utility bag system in claim 6, wherein the magnetozone is located on an inner shell in

the utility bag.

9. The utility bag system in claim 6, wherein the utility extension comprises a fastener

arranged to attach to the body.

10. The utility bag system in claim 6, further comprising:

a storage unit having a magnetozone.

11. The utility bag system in claim 10, wherein the storage unit is arranged as a workstation

when in an open position.

12. The utility bag system in claim 6, wherein the utility extension comprises an other

magnetozone that is arranged to secure the utility extension to a metallic or magnetized structure

while simultaneously securing the metallic or magnetized article to the second shell.

13. The utility bag system in claim 12, wherein the other magnetozone is located on a surface

of the second shell that is opposite said magnetozone.

14. The utility bag system in claim 6, wherein the magnetozone is located on a surface of the

second shell.

15. The utility bag system in claim 14, wherein the magnetozone is formed by a magnet

attached to the second shell.

16. The utility bag system in claim 14, wherein the magnetozone is formed by a magnet

located between an outer layer and an inner layer.

17. The utility bag system in claim 14, wherein the magnet is attached to an outer layer in the

second shell.

18. A utility bag system, comprising:

a body portion having a plurality of walls;

a lid portion attached to the body portion; and

a workstation having a magnetozone,

wherein the workstation is formed on a surface of the lid portion, and

wherein the lid portion or at least one of the plurality of walls is flexible.

19. The utility bag system in claim 18, wherein the body portion is formed as a soft-body

with the plurality of walls made of a flexible material.

20. The utility bag system in claim 18, wherein the body portion has a rigid bottom and the

body portion is collapsible.